Draft:Foods of Belize

Background
With so many different cultures of the world, there are just so many differences that Belize has compared even to its neighboring countries. One of the reasons that things taste different to different countries is the way that thing are grown, such as chickens. In Belize, chickens are eaten with almost every meal. Not only that, but the chickens there taste entirely different from the chickens that are eaten say in America, due to how the farmers feed them. There are some interesting back-stories in the Belizean culture such as, the fact that nearly a quarter of its population have never eaten beef or pork. The country's only has 450,000 people living in its country, therefore making it hard to import goods.

History of Belize
Belize is a country that hasn't been around for all that long. It achieved independence September 21,1981. This country has a very diverse cuisine pallet. Consisting of various types of foods, taking influence from African foods, Mayan foods, Caribbean foods and Spanish foods. As it is along the Caribbean sea, there are many great ingredients that grow near the coast. The most unique thing about Belizean food is the fact that most foods aren't imported, but mainly grown in the country. The most used food ingredient in Belize is coconut milk, which gives the dishes, a very rich and creamy texture. Another very important food would have to be rice. Rice is eaten almost with every meal served either cold or hot, which is very unique in when talking about food due to the fact that most people don't eat cold rice, mainly served warmed or piping hot. Every part of Belize has a different food palette. For example, the southern part of Belize likes more spicy foods while the northern part of Belize likes sweets in creamy foods that's not to say that the northern part doesn't like spicy food, but would prefer their dishes to be more creamy and sweet.

Traditions and Commensality
The Belizean culture loves making foods from scratch. The country itself doesn't have any fast food places for people to eat at, due to the fact of the size of the country being only 8,867 square miles, with only just over 400,000 people living there. Mainly, food is cooked at home with local ingredients. This is important to the culture. The people really want things that aren't imported or fried foods, therefore making fast food places there pretty pointless. There are however, many road side stands set up in front of the locals homes, selling local foods.

People from Belize support the same holidays that the people in the United States celebrate, with a few extra celebrations.

Just to name a few:

1.	 Independence Day (September 21st)- Belize gained its Independence from Britain on September 21st, 1981. On this day each year, its people have large feasts of various types of homemade breads, tamales, potato salad, and rice and beans. These foods are the go-to foods for the Belizean people. Another aspect about this day that makes it so great would have to be the barbecues that happen all over the country.

2.	Baron Bliss Day (March 9th)- Every year on this day, the Belizean people celebrate the life of Baron Bliss, who was a British philanthropist, that loved Belize so much, that he left a large sum of money when he died. On this day, there are large fishing tournaments (because he loved to fish), boat races and picnics. The fishing tournaments last from dawn until dusk, and the fish are all prepared for a variety of fish entrees. Including sandwiches, stews, casseroles, fish fries, and for the kids... fish sticks.

3.	Christmas Day (December 25)- Like everywhere else in the world, Christmas is a big celebration. The Belizeans celebrate with a mixture of Christian and Mayan traditions. By eating foods such as tamales, rice and beans with ham, black fruit cake, Black Relleno, and various drinks like ponche de crema (Creamy rum punch, also called Rumpopo) and hot chocolate.

Spring Holidays
Over 80% of Belizeans profess Christianity. Due to this sole fact, Easter is by far the most celebrated holiday of the year. The festivities last for 4 days, from Good Friday through Easter Monday. But what is different from our traditions here in America, is the fact that schools are also closed for a full week. From the Monday before Easter, through the following Monday. During this time, the Belizean people go to the beach or a swimming pool area and cleanse their bodies of their sins and pray. Another difference between what we are used to, and the culture of Belize is that the Government, Public Utilities and Banks are all shutdown, starting at midday on Holy Thursday, for 4 and a half days straight. During the Easter season a very delicious food such as a hot cross bun is eaten. This sweet bun is often enjoyed not only in Belize, as well as in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Another food that is often eaten would be roasted lamb. This is also enjoyed in the United States. Roasted lamb topped with orange peel and orange juice, often served on top of white rice.

Nutritional Benefits
The thing that puts Belizean food ahead of a lot of different counties is the fact that the majority of their foods are grown in the country, rather than imported. Therefore, they can regulate how things are grown, and what kinds of foods they are giving to their livestock. This makes things like animals taste better, rather than feeding them processed feed, that is loaded with lab-produced chemicals that either speed up growing, or bulk them up more. This is sadly what people in so many countries are used to eating.

Threats, Change, Actions, and the Future
Belize gets hit with at least 2 hurricanes each year, making it a little bit harder to grow things. That is why farmers often have smaller crops, The smaller the crop is, the easier it is to maintain, as well as to grow faster. I know what you're thinking "You can speed up crop growth, no matter the size." Actually, the smaller the crop, the easier it is to grow, due to the fact that the plants aren't competing over water or sunlight. Therefore, if everything is growing at the same time, there is plenty of sunlight and water for every plant. Once each crop is finished, a new one is put in right away. Depending on the crop and the plant type, there could be 8 or more crops put in every year by each farmer. Not all farmers do the smaller crop method. Some farmers crops get wiped out by different things like hurricanes and droughts. But on the other hand, typically farmers that plant full crops, that don't have anything bad happen to their crops, tend to produce more, than someone that does the smaller crop method.

Typical Menu items
Breakfast foods are fairly common across the world

'''Lunch and dinner are both meals that can pretty much go hand in hand. The same dishes can be eaten for both meals'''

Fry Jacks: Pan fried or deep fried pieces of dough that puff up when done, served with honey or jam

Johnny Cakes: A biscuit made with a type of flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. Usually Served with eggs, beans or bacon

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is often enjoyed mixed with various types of fruit

Eggs: Often served over easy, with toast

Fruit: The most popular fruits are mango, papaya, and pineapple

Huevos Rancheros: A Mexican-inspired dish, made with eggs, tortillas and a spicy tomato sauce

Breakfast Burritos: For those that want a variety of foods all in one meal, with scrambled eggs, cheese, beans, with bacon, all wrapped up in a tortilla or in a crunchy taco shell.

Coffee and Tea: Just like every-other country, Belize likes coffee and tea for breakfast. The one thing that stands out would be hot cocoa is often drank for breakfast as well.

Salads: Often made with various fruits such as mango and strawberries, as well as other veggies such as avocados and tomatoes. Other salads that are often enjoyed for lunch would include potato salad, cole slaw, and cucumber salad.

Seafood Palate: These palates often come served with a variety of seafood, including lobster, shrimp, snapper, and conch. There are often grilled, fried, or stewed with a variety of flavorful sauces, that could be sweet, savory, or spicy.

Rice and Beans: The most popular dish in the country would certainly be rice and beans, often eaten for 2 out of 3 meals each day. Served with stewed chicken, pork, or fish. Rice is cooked in coconut milk and red kidney beans, giving the dish a rich and creamy flavor.

Garnaches: A popular street food, which are small, crispy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, shredded cheese and spicy tomato sauce.

Stewed Chicken: A meat dish, that is simmered in a sauce with onions, garlic, tomatoes and other spices.

Conch Fritters: Deep-fried fritters made with chopped conch meat and batter, served with a spicy and savory sauce.

Hudut: Traditional Garifuna dish made with mashed plantains and coconut milk. Usually served with fish in a tomato sauce.

Sere: Fish soup made with coconut milk, okra, and a blend of herbs and spices.

Tamales: Made with cornmeal dough, that is packed with chicken, pork, or vegetables and steamed banana leaves.

Gibnut: A type of rodent that is a delicacy, that is often roasted or stewed and served with vegetables and rice.

Salbutes: Popular street food that are small crispy corn tortillas, with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Escabeche: A popular condiment that is a tangy pickled vegetable relish made with onions, carrots and habanero peppers.

Belize's Biggest Festival
International Costa Maya Festival is held the first week of August every year. This week-long celebration, brings musical groups, artists and beauty queens from the neighboring countries of Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Held in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. This festival celebrates the Mesoamerican culture and the traditions of the Mayan people that once inhabited the region. This festival also attracts tourists to promote economic growth in Belize. This festival is also a great opportunity for tourists to enjoy some local cuisine, including rice and beans, tamales, garnaches, and various types of seafood